Clean Diesel

EPA Offers $26M in Diesel Emissions Reduction Grants

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is offering $26 million in grant funding to fleets to reduce diesel emissions from the nation’s existing fleet of diesel engines, the agency announced.

Roughly 90% of the nation’s freight tonnage is moved by diesel-powered engines, including highway freight trucks, locomotives, and commercial marine vessels.

The EPA is requesting proposals nationwide for projects that will reduce diesel emissions and exposure, especially from fleets in areas that are designated as having poor air quality. The funding will be prioritized to projects that benefit local communities and applicants that promote and continue efforts to reduce emissions after a project has ended.

Applicants permitted to compete for the funding include regional, state, local or tribal agencies, or port authorities with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality. Nonprofit organizations are also permitted to apply as long as they provide pollution reducation or educational services to diesel fleet owners, or if the organization focuses on the promotion of transportation or air quality.

Clean Diesel

Volkswagen has gained approval from air regulators of the final modification plan for the remaining vehicles that contain software designed to defeat emissions tests, the California Air Resources Board has announced.

Volkswagen has appointed Matthias Muller, the chairman of Porsche AG, as its new chief executive to replace the departed Martin Winterkorn, and will restructure its North American operations in the wake of a scandal over diesel emissions.

Volkswagen's chief executive said the company is "deeply sorry" and plans to fully cooperate with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in its investigation of the automaker's use of software to get around federal emissions regulations.

The European Commission will require “real world” vehicle emission tests beginning in 2017. Emissions approval for passenger cars in Europe will then include mandatory on-the-road tests using a portable emissions measurement system.